Vase locking device



April 9, 1968 D. KING VASE LOCKING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 1, 1965 I L y if INVENTQR.

United States Patent 3,377,043 VASE LOCKING DEVICE Drew King, Des Plaines, Ill., assignors to Bronze Incorporated, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Dec. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 510,764 3 Claims. (Cl. 248-346) This invention relates to a vase and particularly to a vase intended for association with a grave or monument.

It has for one object to provide such a vase which will be durable and strong and adequate to contain flowers, ornaments andthe like.

It has for another object to provide such a vase and a means for supporting it arranged to prevent upsetting of the vase with respect to its support.

- Another object is to provide such a vase so arranged and combined with a support that the vase when not in use may be completely enclosed in the support and latched or fitted to it by the same means used to support the vase when it is upright and in use.

Another object is to provide a vase and a combined support and container therefor and means for interfitting the vase with the support when the vase is not upright butis in reverse position.

Other objects will appear from time to time throughout the specification and claims.

The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded side elevation of the vase, its support and its container;

FIGURE 2 is a bottom view of the base of the vase taken at line 22 looking in the direction of the arrows of FIGURE 1 at line 22;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the support for the vase taken at line 3-3 and looking in the direction of the arrows at that line;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale illustrating the interfitting of the base and the support;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional detail with parts in elevation taken at line 6-6 of FIGURE 4; and

FIGURES 7 to 15 inclusive are similar to FIGURE 6, each illustrates a modified form.

Like parts are designated by like numerals throughout.

As shown, the invention includes a vase 1 having an open top 2 and suitable for reception of flowers, ornaments or designating markers. The vase may be of any desired ornamental shape. It is, in the particular form shown here, reduced in diameter as at 3 and enlarged as at 4 to form a base. Extending laterally from the base are lugs 5, 5, which are preferably of less thickness than the outer edge of the base 4. The base on its under face may be concave as at 6 and provided with a knob or handle 7, by means of which it may be lifted when in revers position. The knob or handle 7, as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 1, is of such a length that it lies completely within the concave portion 6 0f the base '4. A retaining chain or cable -8 may be secured to the base by any means desired. As shown, the base is notched as at 9 and a portion of the chain 8 is fitted into this notch and engaged by a pin 10.

The container which is shown in elevation and partly in section in FIGURE 1 and of which a fragment appears in FIGURE 5, comprises a cylindrical member 11 which may be provided with a bottom 12, perforated as at 13. The container may also have an inwardly directed groove 14 adjacent its upper end which is open. One or more screws 15 and nuts 15a are positioned in perforations or openings adjacent the upper edge of the open end of the container 11. The screws and nuts are used to secure the vase support to the container as will be described below.

3,377,043 Patented Apr. 9, 1968 The support, in the particular form shown, comprises a generally annular member 16. It may have an ornamental or decorative appearance. In the form shown, it is shaped to provide a plurality of concentric areas on its upper surface and to provide a downwardly depending skirt portion 17, which is at or adjacent the periphery of the support. The support is also provided with one or more downwardly depending container attachment means 18 which may be perforated as at 19 to permit the insertion of the screws for attachment of the support to the container as shown in FIGURE 5.

When the device is in use, the container is buried within the ground 20 for example and the bottom edge of the portion 17 of the support is in contact with the upper surface of the ground. Obviously, the container might be buried in a portion of a monument and in that case, the container would be buried in concrete, a depression, in a stone member or some other more nearly permanent part. The numeral 20 therefore identifies the part and material within which the container is buried no matter what may be the nature of that material.

The support member includes a plurality of inwardly directed retainers 21. In the particular form here shown, there are three such retainers positioned at equal distances about the inner margin of the support member 16.

Intermediate the retainer 21, the support member 16 is provided with vase supporting portions or carriers 22. These are positioned so that their upper surfaces are below the level of the under surfaces of the retainers and that one end of each of the carrier surfaces 22 joins or is integral with the adjacent end of a retainer 21.

Adjacent and preferably integral with each of the sup porting surfaces or carriers 22 is a second supporting surface or carrier 23 which is positioned at a still lower level, thus the upper surface of each of the carrier members 23 is below the upper surface of each of the carrier members 22 and a stop shoulder 24 is formed at the iunction of each carrier surface 23 with its adjacent surface 22. The end of each carrier surface member 23 which is farthest rom its adjacent stop shoulder 24 is spaced away from the ad acent retainer member 21 so that in a vertical direction, a gap 25 occurs between each member 21 and the free end of each adjacent carrier member 23.

Adjacent each of the members 18, the support is a downwardly directed part 26.

As shown particularly in FIGURE 6, the lugs of the base 4 of the vase 1 are of less vertical thickness than the distance between the upper surface of each carrier member 22 of the support and the lower surface of each member 21. Upon the lower surface of each member 21 is positioned a stop 27.

The locked position is shown in dotted lines both in FIGURE 4 and FIGURE 6.

In the modified form of FIGURE 7, the structure is generally similar to that shown in FIGURE 6 except that the carrier does not continue to the stop which forms a part of the retainer 21. The carrier has a stop 31 at one end against which the lug 5 will strike in the case of undesired rotation. There is suflicient clearance above the stop 31 to permit the vase and lugs to be raised so that the lugs 5 clear the stops 31 and thus the vase can be given reverse rotation for removal when desired.

In the form shown in FIGURE 8, the carrier 32 is generally similar to the carrier of FIGURE 6 except that it is all on one level and that a stop 33 is formed intermediate its ends. It is continuous instead of discontinuous, as in the case of the carrier 30.

In the form shown in FIGURE 9, the carrier is merely a pin 34. It is shown as of rounded cross section but it might be of other 'cros's'section. The retainer in the form of FIGURE 9 is another pin or the equivalent member 35. In the form of this figure, accidental reverse rotation is prevented by a stop 36.

In the form of FIGURE 10, the carrier 37 is continuous to the stop which depends from the retainer 21. The lug carries a stop 38 which, by striking against the free edge of the carrier 37, prevents accidental reverse rotation.

In the form of FIGURE 11, the carrier 37 occurs identically to the form of FIGURE and is correspondingly numbered. Instead of the lug S, in the form of this figure there is provided a pin or equivalent member 39. There will, of course, be more than one pin about the circumference of the vase. The pins, resting upon the carrier 37, support the vase. One or more additional pins 40 will be provided and they are positioned at a level lower than that of the pin 39. Accidental reverse movement brings the pin 40 into contact with the free end of the carrier 37. This contact will prevent accidental reverse rotation. When desired, the vase is raised sufficiently so that the pin 40 clears the end of the carrier 37 and reverse rotation is possible.

In the form of FIGURE 12, one or more inclined surface members 41 are formed as downward extensions of the part 42. Retainers 43 overlie the lower portion of the inclined members 41. Stops 44 are provided and are preferably integral with the parts 42 and 43. A plurality of supporting pins 45 or equivalent members are secured to the vase. These pins are the equivalent of the supporting lugs 5. When the vase is in the upright position, the pins are in the position of FIGURE 12. Tipping of the vase is prevented because the pins are beneath the retainers 43 and reverse rotation is prevented by the incline of the member 41, upon which the pins will not normally move accidentally.

In the form of FIGURE 13, the member 42 is provided with a downwardly inclined extension 46 which may or may not extend to contact the part 44. Instead of the pins 45, inclined lugs 47 are positioned upon the vase. When the vase is in the upright position, the lugs 47 will move to the position shown in FIGURE 13. Their downward movement is limited by the stop 44. The vase cannot tip because the lugs are beneath the retainers 43. Reverse rotation is prevented by the inclination of the member 46.

In the form of FIGURE 14, the vase carries one or more inclined lugs 49, at least one of which has a stop 50 at one end, in place of the inclined lugs 47. In place of the supports 37, 41 or 46, the ring 16 is provided with a carrier 51 which is in the form of a pin or equivalent member. The inclined lug 49 rests upon the pin for support and the stop 50 may rest against the pin 51. One or more retainers 52 are positioned on the ring 16 and overlie the lugs 49 to prevent tilting of the vase. The inclination of the lugs 49 prevents accidental reverse rotation of the vase. When it is desired to remove the vase, it may be rotated manually so that the pin 52 no longer overlies the lug 49 and the vase may then be removed. The stop 50 limits the movement of the lug 49 toward the right in the position shown in FIGURE 14.

In the form of FIGURE 15, one or more steps 53 may be provided on the ring 16. The pins 51 and 52, which have been described above in connection with FIGURE 14, remain unchanged. One or more inclined lugs 54 are secured to the vase and when the vase is upright, will occupy the position shown in FIGURE 15. In that position, they rest upon the pin 51 and lie beneath the pins 52. Their movement is limited in the downward direction by the stop or stops 53. The inclination of the lugs 54 prevents accidental reverse rotation. Deliberate reverse rotation is carried out by moving the lugs to the left from the position of FIGURE until they clear the pins '52. In that position, the vase may be removed.

The use and operation of the invention are as follows:

The container portion 11 is buried or covered in the ground or a monument or other permanent location where the vase is to be used. The annular support is secured to the container for example by the screws 15 and the nuts 15a and the device as a whole is positioned within the ground 20 so that the lower edge of the portion 17 of the support is in contact with the upper surface of the ground or other material within which the container is inserted. Generally, a chain or cable or other fastening member 8 is secured, as shown, to a portion of the base 4 of the vase at one end and at its opposite end is screwed, bolted, welded or otherwise secured to the container 11 so that the vase may not be wrongfully removed.

When the vase is to be put in place, it is upright and may contain flowers, ornaments, markers or any desired articles. It is moved toward the support in such position of rotation that the lugs 5 of the vase pass beneath the retainers 21 of the support and thus the lugs 5 are lowered directly to the position of FIGURES 4 and 6. The vase is rotated from that position so that the lugs 5 pass under the retainers 21. When this is accomplished, the lugs 5 are no longer supported on the surface of the carrier members 22. In this rotation, the lugs 5 have been carried so that their left-hand edges, as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 6, have moved beyond the stop shoulders 24 and the lugs 5 thus fall lower and rest upon the upper surfaces of the carrier members 23. This brings each lug 5 in part under a retainer 21, into the dotted line position of FIGURE 6. Their movement is limited by the stops 27. When this movement has occurred, each lug 5 is beneath a retainer 21 and the rotation of the vase in retainer 21 and the rotation of the vase in clockwise or counterclockwise direction is resisted either by the stop shoulder 24 or the stop 27.

After the vase has been moved so that the lugs 5 occupy the dotted line position of FIGURE 6, the vase cannot be given substantial reverse movement without lifting it so that each lug 5 in its reverse movement may clear the stop shoulder 25 and move again from under the retainer 21. When this reverse movement has occurred sufficiently, the lugs 5 then again occupy the full line postion of FIGURE 6 and, if desired, the vase may be moved.

When not in use, the vase is removed from the support and is inverted. It may then be lowered into the container 11 and the lugs 5 can equally well occupy the full line position of FIGURE 6 whether the vase be upright or inverted. Therefore, the inverted vase may be rotated by the handle or knob 7 so that the lugs 5 move under the retainers 21 and again, even though it is now in an inverted position and completely within the container 11, the vase is supported by the engagement of its lugs 5 with the carrier members 23 of the support and it is not carried by the bottom 13 of the container 11. It is again carried by the carrier members 23 and it is equally well stopped against reverse rotation by means of the shoulder 24. Since it is now within the container 11, it is not subject to wind and cannot tip over.

In the past, supports have been provided for vases in which the vases were provided with lugs which fitted into depressions in a support member. Such vases have frequently been blown over by the wind when full of flowers which interpose a considerable surface to the action of the wind.

Even where overhanging retainers have been provided under which the lugs on the vase might be engaged, the same result has happened. As the vase and its contents are subjected to wind blowing against them, some rattling, teetering and other movements occur and experience has shown that a vase will, so to speak, walk backwards and as a result of teetering because of wind action, the lugs on the vase will work out from under the overhanging retainers or comparable members on the support.

The walking backward effect is prevented in the present invention by the presence of the stop shoulder 24. When the lugs have been moved to the dotted line position of FIGURE 6, tilting, teetering and other movements due to wind action will not be able to raise the lugs above the stop shoulder 24. There will be no reverse movement of the lugs 5 out of their engaging position beneath the retainers 21. Hence, the device of this invention prevents the reverse movement or rotation of the vase and prevents tipping over the vase. It is an important object of this invention to prevent the vase from tipping over and from accidental displacement. The structure just described accomplishes this purpose.

The chain 8 or its equivalent may be omitted as it forms no essential part of the invention, which may be carried out with no attachment of the vase to the support beyond that furnished by the interengagement of the lugs 5 with the carriers 22 and 23 and the retainers 21.

In the several forms of the invention, there is in each case at least one carrier on the support 16; generally there Will be several positioned about its circumference and there will be one or more lug members on the vase; generally there will be several positioned about its periphery. There will be one or more retainers, such as the members 21 and 43, on the support 16; generally there will be one of these for each carrier.

Whatever the particular details of the carriers, retainers and lugs, means are provided for preventing accidental or undesired reverse rotation and these means involve a cooperation between the parts on the supporting ring 16 and the vase. In the forms of the first eleven figures, there is in each case a stop member on the part 16 which prevents accidental reverse rotation. It will be recognized that only a single stop member is necessary; although there may be several carriers and although each may have a stop, reverse rotation will be adequately prevented by a single stop member. It is immaterial whether that stop member is on the supporting ring 16 or on the lug.

In the forms of FIGURES 12 to 15 inclusive, there is no stop to prevent reverse rotation. In these forms, reverse rotation is prevented by inclination of the carrier or of the lug on the vase. Nonetheless, means are provided in these forms for a cooperative relationship between the support 16 and the vase lugs whereby accidental reverse rotation of the vase is prevented. The members are shaped to act as stops.

In all forms of the device, the parts and their dimensions are such that a user by moving the vase appropriately may move the vase lugs 50 that reverse rotation is possible and so that removal of the vase is also possible.

Whereas the preferred forms of the invention have been shown and described herein, it should be realized that there are many modifications, substitutions and alterations thereto, within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, an urn and a support therefor,

said support defining a generally circular opening,

and a plurality of groups of cooperating members of which at least one member of each group is positioned on said support extending radially inwardly and at least one member of each group is positioned on said urn extending radially outwardly,

the groups of cooperating members including lugs and a single carrier and a retainer for each lug,

said retainers being positioned above said carriers,

said lugs adapted to be moved under said retainers by rotation of said urn,

and stop means positioned upon one of said cooperating members of each group and etfective to prevent accidental rotation of said urn,

said stop means being carried by a lug, and is positioned at the end of said lug which is positioned under a retainer and extends below the lower surface of said lug.

2. The device of claim 1 further characterized by the fact that said stop means, when the urn is in a non-tipping position, is normally beneath a retainer.

3. In combination, an urn and a support therefor,

said support defining a generally circular opening,

and a plurality of groups of cooperating members of which at least one member of each group is positioned on said support extending radially inwardly and at least one member of each group is positioned on said urn extending radially outwardly,

the groups of cooperating members including lugs and a single carrier member having a continuous upper lug supporting surface and a retainer for each lug, said carrier member having an end portion which underlies an adjacent retainer,

said retainers being positioned above said carriers,

said lugs adapted to be moved under said retainers by rotation of said um,

and stop means positioned upon one of said cooperating members of each group and effective to prevent accidental rotation of said urn,

said stop means being carried by a lug and disposed thereon in position to engage said end portion of the carrier.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,3 10,055 7/1919 Caldwell. 2,488,924 11/1949 Meierjohan 47--41.1 3,052,065 9/1962 Rettman 47-41.1 X 3,229,948 1/1966 King 4741 X ANTONIO F. GUIDA, Primary Examiner. ABRAHAM G. STONE, Examiner. R. CARTER, P. A. RAZZANO, Assistant Examiners. 

1. IN COMBINATION, AN URN AND A SUPPORT THEREFOR, SAID SUPPORT DEFINING A GENERALLY CIRCULAR OPENING, AND A PLURALITY OF GROUPS OF COOPERATING MEMBERS OF WHICH AT LEAST ONE MEMBER OF EACH GROUP IS POSITIONED ON SAID SUPPORT EXTENDING RADIALLY INWARDLY AND AT LEAST ONE MEMBER OF EACH GROUP IS POSITIONED ON SAID URN EXTENDING RADIALLY OUTWARDLY, THE GROUPS OF COOPERATING MEMBERS INCLUDING LUGS AND A SINGLE CARRIER AND A RETAINER FOR EACH LUG, SAID RETAINERS BEING POSITIONED ABOVE SAID CARRIERS, SAID LUGS ADAPTED TO BE MOVED UNDER SAID RETAINERS BY ROTATION OF SAID URN, AND STOP MEANS POSITIONED UPON ONE OF SAID COOPERATING MEMBERS OF EACH GROUP AND EFFECTIVE TO PREVENT ACCIDENTIAL ROTATION OF SAID URN, SAID STOP MEANS BEING CARRIED BY A LUG, AND IS POSITIONED AT THE END OF SAID LUG WHICH IS POSITIONED UNDER A RETAINER AND EXTENDS BELOW THE LOWER SURFACE OF SAID LUG. 